IF RATIONING WERE ABOLISHED THE WEALTHY WOULD GAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 February 1947, Page 4

IF RATIONING WERE ABOLISHED THE WEALTHY WOULD GAIN

(P.A.) Rotorua, Feb. 24 “I know from a close study of the remits to your conference that are not in favour of maiixenance by the Government of rationing and restrictions on supplies within the country,” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr. Sullivan) when officially opening the 26th. annual conference of the New Zealand Retailers’ Association in Rotorua this afternoon. “It is, however, impossible for me at this moment to commit myself by saying that these restrictions will be lifted. “I want to make it perfectly plain that it is the desire of the Government and myself to see rationing ended as soon as possible. However, I think you will realise that no good will come, either to you or the people of New Zealand, should restrictions be lifted before the time is ripe. Such a step would inevitably mean that the wealthier members among you would buy up the bulk of supplies, thus leaving smaller retailers and. indirectly, a section of the community, in a questionable position. I am sure that you do not want such a situation to arise.” Mr. Sullivan said that he hoped the conference would make a caretui study of the rationing situation anu that its deliberations would be forwarded to him. Although he could not promise that such advice would be acted upon, it would receive serious consideration from his department. * “It will be a matter for serious consideration during the next month or two whether the time has, or has not, arrived when clothing rationing could well be abolished,” he said. “The prospective supplies of textiles is by no means as good as we had hoped last year, and in fact deliveries ot cottons, in particular towards the end of this year, are likely to be seriously reduced. Rayon and woollen piece goods are not likely to be in better supply this year. However, there are reasonable expectations that, on the whole, clothing supplies will slowly improve and as the need for clothing rationing has become less apparent over a wide range of articles during the last few months, I have instructed close examination immediately of the necessity,, or otherwise, of continuing clothing rationing. “I notice, however,” continued the Minister, “your remits betray a lair degree of restiveness concerning the operation of price control. From the statements which I have made from time to time you are aware the Government’s price control and stabilisation policy remains in the forefront of | its economic programme for the immediate future. Personally, I see no hope of stabilisation or price control being abolished for some time yet. The position regarding supplies of- raw materials for manufacturing of goods which your members sell, and also importation of finished products, is still very obscure. Advice to hand in the last week or two, which will be the subject of a press announcement by me in a few days time, are to the effect that all sponsorships of cotton goods and all country-by-country quotas have been abolished by the United Kingdom Government. How we will fare under the open market system is completely problematical at tnis stage and the present indications are there may be substantial reductions in available imports, even as much as 40 per cent, by the end of the year.”